Coyotes News

Coyotes at Sochi: Korpikoski

Coyotes forward Lauri Korpikoski is playing for Finland at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

OLYMPIC EXPERIENCE: This is Korpikoski's first appearance at the Olympics.

OTHER INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Photo by Norm Hall.

2013: Represented Finland at the IIHF World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden and helsinki, Finland. Recorded 3-2-5 in eight games. Ranked tied for third on the team in goals and was fourth in points.

2010: Represented Finland at the IIHF World Championship in Germany…Appeared in seven games.

2006: Captured a bronze medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship in British Columbia, recording 1-5-6 and four PIM in seven games…Ranked tied for fifth in assists among all players in the tournament.

2005: In five games at the IIHF World Junior Championship in North Dakota and Minnesota, he collected 2-0-2 and six PIM…2004: Skated in six games for Finland at the IIHF U-18 World Championship, notching 5-6-11 and a plus-7 rating…Ranked tied for first among all players in the tournament with 11 points.

FUN FACT: Korpikoski's parents and girlfriend are in Sochi to watch him compete.

HE SAID IT:

Do you like the bigger ice surface?

"It’s a big difference, especially when you play other European teams that are good on the big ice. You play North American teams, they play pretty much the same style there. Yeah, it’s a different game and it takes a while and time but we don’t have that so you have to get used to it quickly. But I think we have guys that have played on the bigger ice. Obviously growing up they know how to do it, and I think there’s a little advantage for us."

On possibly building confidence for use when the NHL season resumes:

"It wouldn’t hurt to have a good tournament and feel good about yourself coming back. I know it’s a tough trip going there with the time difference and everything. If you have to come back from there with a bitter taste in your mouth, I don’t think that’s going to help either."

On Finland's chances to win the gold medal:

"Our goaltending is good. All three goalies can play. I think chemistry is another thing. I think we have some guys that have played together before. We don’t have really big names in there but we have some solid players that can play good on both sides of the puck. So I think the key for us is to find some scoring. We don’t have a lot of scorers but if we get some scoring, some guys that are having a good tournament offensively, that will help us and then we just play good defense. That’s kind of the way a team can always have success."